Why am I not gaining weight even though I eat a lot?

Author: Priscilla Kuhic  |  Last update: Thursday, January 15, 2026

You may be born naturally small and your low BMI can be due to your genes. You may have a very high metabolism and find it hard to put on weight, even if you eat foods that have a lot of calories. You may not follow a healthy, balanced diet because you forget to eat or cannot afford nutritious foods.

Is it bad if you eat a lot but don t gain weight?

Everyone is unique in how many calories the body burns. If someone is eating too much from your perspective and doesn't gain weight, it is highly likely that person is burning calories that match that amount of consumption.

What is it called when you eat a lot but don't gain weight?

Cachexia (wasting syndrome) Cachexia is a complex change in the body, causing you to lose weight despite eating normally. It is pronounced kak-ex-ee-a.

Why didn't I gain weight after eating a lot?

Undereating: If you're overeating and not gaining weight, it could be that you are still not consuming enough calories to meet your body's needs. Diabetes and other hormonal changes can impact metabolism and make it more difficult to gain weight. These diseases include hyperthyroidism and insulin levels.

Why am I skinny even though I eat a lot?

You may be born naturally small and your low BMI can be due to your genes. You may have a very high metabolism and find it hard to put on weight, even if you eat foods that have a lot of calories. You may not follow a healthy, balanced diet because you forget to eat or cannot afford nutritious foods.

Why is a person unable to Gain Weight despite Eating Properly? #AsktheDoctor

Why is my stomach getting bigger but not gaining weight?

Many women notice an increase in belly fat as they get older even if they don't gain weight. This is likely due to a lower level of estrogen because estrogen seems to have an effect on where fat is located in the body. Genes can contribute to an individual's chances of being overweight or obese too.

How often should I weigh myself?

Aim to weigh yourself on the same day, at the same time and in the same environment each week – for example, first thing every Friday morning when you're getting ready to take a shower, after you've gone to the bathroom, but before you've drunk or eaten anything.

How to flush out water weight?

  1. Exercise Regularly. Daily exercise provides several health benefits, including preventing water retention. ...
  2. Drink More Water. Drinking water to reduce water weight sounds counterintuitive, but it helps. ...
  3. Manage Salt Intake. ...
  4. Cut Carbs. ...
  5. Focus on Certain Foods and Herbs. ...
  6. Try Supplements. ...
  7. Up Your Caffeine Intake.

How can a skinny person gain weight?

In general, your plan may include:
  1. Eating more frequently. Slowly begin to eat 5 to 6 smaller meals during the day. ...
  2. Choosing food with lots of nutrients. ...
  3. Top it off. ...
  4. Try smoothies and shakes. ...
  5. But watch what and when you drink. ...
  6. Exercise.

What cancers cause loss of appetite?

Tumors: A tumor may interfere with the body's hunger signals in several ways. Cancers of the head, neck and gastrointestinal tract may cause difficulty swallowing, make eating painful or create a full feeling despite an empty stomach. Ovarian, lung, stomach and pancreatic cancers also commonly cause loss of appetite.

What can I take to help put on weight?

Healthy foods to help you gain weight

Don't turn to chocolate, sweets and cakes, which are more likely to lead to fat gain rather than muscle. Instead, look for foods that are good sources of protein as well as higher in calories, such as dairy products, nuts, seeds and oily fish.

Why is it so hard for me to gain weight?

Reasons for lack of weight gain

genetics. not eating enough. having a very physically active lifestyle or job. overexercising.

What BMI is considered skinny?

Diagnosing weight types with BMI

Underweight: Less than 18.5. Optimum range: 18.5 to 24.9. Overweight: 25 to 29.9. Class I obesity: 30 to 34.9.

Why am I heavy but not fat?

A few people have high BMIs but don't have much body fat. Their muscle tissue pushes up their weight. Kahan points to very muscular people, like football players or body builders. “Their BMI shows up pretty high, and yet their body fat is actually pretty low," Kahan says.

How do I check if I'm underweight?

Underweight: BMI is below the 5th percentile age, gender, and height. Healthy weight: BMI is equal to or greater than the 5th percentile and less than the 85th percentile for age, gender, and height. Overweight: BMI is at or above the 85th percentile but less than the 95th percentile for age, gender, and height.

What kills water weight?

Water weight is not usually a cause for concern, but it can be uncomfortable and recurring. Reducing salt and carbohydrate intake, keeping hydrated, and frequently exercising are all good ways to lose water weight and prevent it from returning.

How to lose belly fat fast?

8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life
  1. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ...
  2. Think eating plan, not diet. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Lift weights. ...
  5. Become a label reader. ...
  6. Move away from processed foods. ...
  7. Focus on the way your clothes fit more than reading a scale. ...
  8. Hang out with health-focused friends.

Is your true weight in the morning?

People tend to weigh less when they wake up because breathing and sweating as they sleep causes them to lose fluids. A study also found that adults burn around 50 calories an hour during slumber. “When you wake up in the morning, you're dehydrated because you haven't been drinking during the night.

Do you weigh more after a shower?

“Your skin is the largest organ in the body and absorbs fluid easily,” says Dr. Keith Kantor, a leading nutritionist and CEO of the Nutritional Addiction Mitigation Eating and Drinking (NAMED) program. “After a swim or a shower, your body can absorb 1 to 3 cups of water, increasing your true weight by a few pounds.”

What should I do for weight gain?

Do
  1. gain weight gradually by adding healthy calories – adults could try adding around 300 to 500 extra calories a day.
  2. eat smaller meals more often, adding healthy snacks between meals.
  3. add extra calories to your meals with cheese, nuts, and seeds.
  4. have high-calorie drinks in between meals, such as milkshakes.

What is a thyroid belly?

A common symptom of an underactive thyroid is weight gain, often around the abdomen. However, the American Thyroid Association states that the weight gain may not necessarily be due to the build up of fat, but the accumulation of salt and water.

Why are my clothes tight but I haven't gained weight?

However, some people notice their clothes feeling tight, and they haven't gained a pound. They simply had their weight shift or changed their body ratio of fat to muscle by losing muscle and increasing fat.

What burns the most belly fat?

Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.

Previous article
Which is better, dermaplaning or HydraFacial?
Next article
Why does only my left armpit smell?